On December 15th, homeschooled musicians across Berks County who have received scholarships through Reading Musical Foundation performed in the sixth D’Addesi Concert for Hope at Hope Rescue Mission. The concert featured more than 15 young musicians from eight different homeschooled families performing traditional Christmas songs for the men residing at Hope Rescue Mission. Some musicians have been recipients of the D’Addesi Family Homeschool Scholarship Fund of the Reading Musical Foundation, which provides merit and need-sensitive music scholarships to homeschooled musicians in Berks County. The Christmas concert was preceded by a reception of hot chocolate and desserts.
“The annual Concert for Hope helps teach young musicians that music in itself is a gift. Additionally, the men residing at Hope Rescue Mission offer a gift of their own – their genuine applause and appreciation of the students helps the young musicians build their performance proficiency and confidence. The D’Addesi Homeschool Scholarship Fund not just rewards talented and hardworking young people, but teaches them how to be generous,” said Keri Shultz, President of Reading Musical Foundation. “The participation from the many other homeschooled recipients involved in RMF’s Scholarship Program truly completes the program, giving the residents of Hope Rescue a real Christmas concert with samplings of many Christmas favorites and a sing-along at the end of the program.”
The D’Addesi Family Homeschool Scholarship Fund was established in 2013 by the Dr. Leonard and Carla D’Addesi to provide music scholarship opportunities to homeschool families in Berks County. A blended scholarship program, the fund offers merit and need-sensitive awards for elementary school instrumentalists. The Reading Musical Foundation manages the scholarship, hosting annual auditions each spring and reviewing need-sensitive requests throughout the year. Last year, the program awarded one merit award for piano, one merit award for violin, and three need-sensitive awards for multiple instruments. Designed into the scholarship fund is a request that students share their gifts for a charitable purpose like the D’Addesi Concert for Hope. It is the hope and desire of the D’Addesi Family that recipients carry on the spirit of giving, in whatever form students are able.
